Bubbles, the Soft-Shelled Tortoise: From Neglect to Rescue
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- #gardenstatetortoise #tortoise #turtle
Raised for 4 years in nothing more than a wooden box with a household bulb, this surrendered leopard tortoise is the absolute worst case of neglect we’ve ever seen. Her shell should be solid bone at her size but instead it’s squishy and when she breathes, you can actually see her shell contract due to severe metabolic bone disease. She can’t walk correctly and drags her body around from her bones being too soft.
Can Garden State Tortoise save her and if so, will she have any quality of life?
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However you made it here, thank you and welcome to Garden State Tortoise. Garden State Tortoise is home to hundreds of animals from all around the world. We are a family dedicated to adventure, conservation of wildlife, and all things nature. We are a reptile rescue and breeding facility for more than ten years, offering refuge to those who need it, and working everyday to protect the beautiful world of reptiles in any way we can. Here on our UA-cam channel you will be able to join us on our animal adventures while learning how to care for, protect, properly identify, feed and even breed many species of turtle, tortoise, snake and lizard. We even work with frogs and salamanders! We hope you enjoy our videos and help us share them with the world so we can continue to educate people of all ages about herpetology.
Chris and Casey Leone
Hey everyone,
We know this video was hard to watch. Making it was even harder. But- the truth is that the message needs to get out there. It doesn’t matter what type of animal it is, they need the right care. Anything less is unacceptable.
These rescues weigh on us heavily and any support we can get to help out the animals is tremendous. Please consider becoming a Patron by joining our PATREON. Here’s the link: www.patreon.com/gardenstatetortoise
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Every little bit counts. Thank you for even considering it.
Chris & Casey ❤
I wish I could afford to help more other than liking, commenting, and sharing the video. This video was hard to watch, I hope she able to get some semblance of quality of life. My blood is boiling right now for that poor little girl. I'm so used to seeing your animals and Kenan's animals. This type of neglect is criminal.
Got a new tee just now to help support 👍. Love all that you do.
I admit when I first saw her, my mind started thinking of ideas... like an external brace of sorts over the shelf with screws, attached to the shell so that gently over time, it can be 'pulled' gently into shape, like they do when correcting crooked bones. But I dont know how well that works with spines I admit, I've just seen it used on longbones for puppies. OTOH there's frames like that for people with spinal diseases to help support and straighten it out too. It would have to be done before the new calcium solidifies the shell. Fingers crossed either way.
Please keep us updated.
Bubbles is gorgeous and I know you guys will give her the best possible chance at life. I have faith in you!! 😊
The fact that she is still able to survive in that condition speaks volumes, but I doubt she would have lived much longer. I'm not crying, you're crying.
Agreed. 👍🏻
We’re all crying
I work at a turtle rescue in the south and we have a resident box turtle who looks VERY similar to this! He was taken from the wild by a kid who kept him in a pizza box to hide him from his mom for 7 years. When his mom found him she surrendered him to us. His name is Scooter and despite his deformities he's a very active and friendly little dude and acts as one of our educational mascots.
Oh, gosh, poor Scooter, 7 years in a pizza box! Your experience is very reassuring; I hope Bubbles will be able to overcome and be a happy if imperfect tortoise. Thanks for sharing his story, and for the work you do.
Seven years??? How is that even possible that no one in that kid’s family knew he had an animal in his room for 7 years? I know rescuers aren’t supposed to blame the offenders, but c’mon, that kid needs to do restitution for making a live creature suffer for nearly a decade-like work weekends for an animal shelter!
@@sharimyeah this was long before I started working there, and when I read Scooter's story on the rescue's website it made me so upset and teary eyed. I have no idea of the story with the kid and what happened after Scooter was surrendered but I sure hope he learned. Scooter is now an extremely valuable teacher! We take him to expos to let people meet him and see just how important proper care and nutrition is for a turtle, and they love his personality.
@@chezmoi42yep this was many years before I started working at the rescue so he's been there a long time! He's fully recovered and has been living a normal life just like any other turtle, I really hope Bubbles can become as active and happy as Scooter after receiving GST's excellent care.
Tbh, watching again it does seem like- well I somewhat hope - that it was a kid's pet that nobody else looked at for 4 years. I had a hermit crab and a beta fish as a kid, both unfortunately passed due to my neglect, and my parents never interacted with them until they were already passed.
If it took 4 years to get to this point; someone in her previous house watched it happen. The fact that they continued to be neglectful of her makes me angry. I'm so glad she's with the two of you now, with proper care, fingers crossed she'll be able to live a better quality of life. Thank you for sharing.
I know. It’s wild. Thank you 🙏🏻
They may not have known better. And didn’t want to go out of their way to find out better. Some people just want exotic pets and don’t bother them with the facts. People approach parenthood similarly, some of them
I am surprise she's still alive in that condition. she's a strong girl
Thanks for helping her.
She really is. 🙏🏻
Ignorance is no excuse in this case, *a tortoise is not supposed to be flat an squishy* ! OMG I'm in tears!
I’m just horrified at what some people can do to helpless creatures. God’s creatures! 😢😢😢
You cannot overestimate the stupidity of people. Honestly. :(
I'm glad that I waited to watch this. I follow The Wildcat Sanctuary as well and they have so many Servals and other exotic cats with Metabolic Bone Disease so I've seen first hand the toll it can take on something like a big cat and it is horrendous and like you said....There is no excuse for it because even with those guys the information is out there if people would just bother to read about the animals they are caring for. I waited until I saw Bubbles outside in the grass in a more recent video and I think that's when I told myself to watch this one. It is so hard, but I have faith in you guys to help this girl live the best life she can. THANK YOU for taking her in and loving her❤
Poor thing, people really need to research the full trajectory of a tortoises life before adopting one because it’s cute.
Breaks my heart.
It’s awful.
The anger and emotion on your face says it all.. This treatment of any animal is absolutely unacceptable!!! I genuinely don't understand how someone can sit by and watch this beautiful creature suffer EVERY DAY and be ok with it! It seems like they only decided to hand her over when she was on her last legs. Thank you for caring for these precious creatures!!!
Awwwee… POOR, poor baby! You can see her shell moving when BREATHING at the beginning!! 😔
Thank you for not giving up on her!!💚
I'm in tears. She now has hope of healing in your care. She can't be in better hands. Thank you for taking her in. I will be praying for her.❤🙏
Please keep us posted on Bubbles. Really pulling for that sweet girl.
This made me cry. One of my rescued redfoots has severe MBD, but nothing like this. Bubbles truly shows the resilience of these animals and I hope she can get stronger. She’s in the right hands now❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you and thanks for caring for your tortoise.
I just don’t understand people. When we all walk around with little computers in our pockets ignorance is not an excuse. I researched tortoises care and species for over two years before I got my Tortoise.
Couldn’t agree more
So many people actively choose to do stupid and uneducated things, because they would rather not know and have the excuse of ignorance over admit that they are lazy and don't want to put a few hours of research into something living they think they're entitled to.
I just began watching your videos recently and this one has me in tears. I'm in dog rescue in Missouri, and I've seen awful neglect, this is heart breaking. Thank you for wanting to do the best for her.
Thank you for your work.
I know that this is really difficult to deal with. The knowledge you gain by helping Bubbles could be so valuable to help other tortoises in the future. You are probably going to be setting protocols for future care. Thank you for all you do. Prayers for both you and Bubbles.
So true! Thank you
Yep, I was thinking that cases like this will advance esp reptilian/tortoise care. But it is still heartbreaking
Okay, Bubbles. It's up to you, sweetheart. You've gotta tell them if it's too much or if you can keep going. Your new humans know about you and can give you what you need, and they'll listen when you tell them things ❤
Hopes and prayers for her. Thank you.
Poor baby 😿😿😿😿 thank you so much
Poor tortoise. I literally cried at this video. I have no words. Her face looked so sad. 😢 I’m so glad she is with you. She could’t wish for better carers.
I know, I’m sorry.
This is so sad to see. Not only the poor tortoise, but how the humans trying to take care of her are so mortified by her state. Thankful for the folks out there like you guys trying to help cases like this and also educate the general public on how much care is needed to take care of these kinds of animals. 💖
And how long they live, I know the giants live a long time, what about Bubbles growing older?
I trust yall to do everything you can for her, *and* watch to make sure if her quality of life declines that you will make her last moments as comfortable as possible. Thank G-d for yall
I can't believe that noone noticed this tortoise that suffers! Please save this soul! Can this tortoise's condition been improved? Hold on little cutie! You are in the best hands! ❤
Her appearance can’t be reversed but we can try to get her healthier internally. Thank you.
They noticed it they didn’t nothing about it.
Bles you for helping her❤🙏🏼she is tenacious !
I can't wait to see updates on bubbles. I pray she can pull through. The fact that she's still going like that shows she's not ready to give up..this is just heartbreaking.
She is in the right place now. She has a real chance at having a life instead of barely surviving.
Ohmygosh that is beyond horrific! I am in tears! Why, why, why don't people do their research? Just 5 minutes of research can tell you if this animal is beyond your capabilities to care for. I have never seen MBD this bad. This poor girl. If anyone can help her it is definitely you all. Prayers are going your way.
I know. It’s so infuriating. 😞
Oh poor sweetheart 😢
That was painful. I sure hope you can help her have a better life. Thanks for caring for this beautiful animal.
This hurts to see. This is absolutely sickening. So so sad. Thank you for helping her, as best as you can.
So sad. Thank you 🙏🏻
Bless you for taking great care of her.
Hi from Scotland UK 🇬🇧 wishing Bubbles all the best for the future.. I am just gob smacked at how she still alive …. In safe hands now ❤
Thank you Fiona!
I think whoever raised her should spend 4 years in the same conditions that they subjected that poor tortoise to. 😢
I think the same. It makes me mad 🤬🤬🤬 that these people don’t be punished for what they did with Bubbles.
my heart hurts so much looking at this little soul, I hope she doesn't suffer pain in this condition... thank you for deciding to try to save her and improve her life ❤
I know what you mean. Thank you 🙏🏻
@@GardenStateTortoise
I am sending you moral support from Croatia and a big hug for all of your big family 🤗🤗
😢That poor baby girl!!!!
❤Thank U sooo much for rescuing her; can she be given wheels under her shell to help her move, even temporarily, until she's healthier???
My heart is literally breaking as I watch this. 💔💔💔
This is absolutely heartbreaking and difficult to watch but people have to realize their responsibility with caring for a pet. I really hope that this poor animal can heal and I'm glad that you have her now.
Poor baby. How sad. At least it has a chance with you guys
Hey guys! I hope you read this but I have a video idea that I feel would be so beneficial for all. You over the years have provided so much info and love and car for these tortoises for all us enthusiasts and loving owners however I think a perfect video would be to go around and explain what each breed of tortoises should eat. Basically just a video of the dietary needs of all tortoises :D
Please keep us posted on her development!! Thank you for taking care of these animals!
We will. Thank you 🙏🏻
This one has me crying the entire video. She is obviously a fighter. I pray you all can help her. There is no excuse for those. ❤
😢 Poor sweet precious animal ❤😞
This is so hard to watch! 😢 I adopted a box turtle with MBD, and he was also raised with improper care resulting in a very flat shell. The thought of any turtle having to go through this is heartbreaking.
I know that you all will do right by her! ❤
Sorry to hear that! Thank you for watching.
Heart Breaking!!💔 Poor baby!!
I've spend the whole lockdown of 2020 just watching and studying turtoise, and i still doubt myself if i can have one. Cant believe others will just own one without proper knowledge
Bless you, Bubbles, for enduring the poor treatment, and bless the wonderful folks at GST and their vets for working to try and ameliorate Bubbles’ condition.
Sending love and strength to Bubbles! Thank you for helping!
Please keep us updated.
Watching this breaks my heart. I am afraid, when you give her the right food now and her shell becomes hard, how is she going to breath? She won't be able to expand her shell any more once it's hard and breathing may become a huge problem for her too. As one can clearly see, she needs more space to let the air in as she has with this shell. This is the worst neglect I have ever seen. I cried throughout the entire video.
Thanks for your concern.
That actually won’t be an issue because the shell only expands because it’s soft. It’s exactly what the pancake tortoise does only it shouldn’t be in this species. So there’s at least no worry there.
I really hope Bubbles can/will recover. She’s in the right hands, your hands, and I’m confident that you’ll give her everything she needs. You’re awesome! 🥲
Rest in peace sweet, smiley bubbles 😢
I do love Bubbles, she's a really brave resilient tortoise... I hope she's doing better, I'm sure she'll recover and have a "normal" life, and I really hope the owners who neglected her do badly get to know what they made her go through... She's so sweet, no matter what, I'm sure you are her hero's.
The poor baby! I am so glad she is with you, now! Please keep us updated on her condition. Thanks for all you do!
Thank you. Will do.
Oh no, poor Bubbles! Even if she can’t have a long life, I hope she can have a pain free period of being spoiled with all the care she deserves. (And deserved to have all along) 😢❤😢❤
I'm so sorry baby girl. What a tragedy....thank goodness for your rescue.
Crying some hard tears for this girls obvious pain.
Poor baby, she has suffered so much😕😢😭
I've been adopting RES for years, LOTS with TONS of health issues. This made me literally break down and cry.
Thank you for helping them.
If anyone can help Bubbles, it’s GST for sure! Stay strong, girl! ❤
People needs to be licensed to own an animal like that. Poor baby! Is she is pain? How can you tell? Thank you for saving her ❤
Her behavior and wanting to eat is showing is she seems to not be in pain.
@GardenStateTortoise thank you for info!! I'm relieved she's not in pain.
@@TrippNBalz
Same here
What a heart breaking situation.
Bless her the fact she is still fighting and didn’t give up says so much, bless you both for taking her on. Definitely a very long bumpy road ahead but she has you both fighting in her corner. This one definitely made my eye leak and my heart ache. 🤗🐢🤗
Thanks for your work! Hoping this poor tortoise will be okay!!
This is absolutely awful. Poor little girl. I’m crying so much It’s just.. I’m lost at words.
Sending the best of hope to her here from Sweden.❤️
Thank you 🙏🏻
Bubbles story has touched me greatly thank you guys for taking her and now she is on the road to recovery
Come on Bubbles. You've now got the best chance ever to survive.
I didn't plan on crying this morning, but this hurt to see.
The message needs to get out. 😞
Have you thought about making a flat base with wheels and placing it underneath bubbles so that she can start to move about a bit. You never know, it might work 💗💗😁
That turtle is absolutely beautiful and I couldn't imagine neglecting him to that extreme there are plenty of people out there that would have been willing to take him to help him clearly because now he has found someone that is ❤❤❤❤❤❤
You all are the perfect people to help rehabilitate her. I look forward to seeing her progress when you get her back home.
I hope those people don't have anymore animals that need help bless you. It's all I can do to keep for my tears from falling this poor little turtle. Thank you for being there for them.
I wish you the best, precious and beautiful Bubbles. Stay strong, darling. I hope these humans won't give up on you, because you deserve all the love and care in the world. Keep fighting, angel. I love you! 💚🐢💚
Poor thing!! 😢 She couldn’t have landed in a better place!❤ No matter what her future holds, she will be cared for with great love and given every opportunity to thrive and be comfortable because that's what you and your family do!!❤ Thank you for taking on the tough cases. You and your family are an encouragement to us all!!
Poor baby! Her condition is absolutely heartbreaking :(
If this were 30 years ago, I could see these things happening. Nowadays there’s literally no excuse. This is more than likely a case of somebody seeing a random tortoise at a shop and making a spur of the moment decision
Exactly. 👍🏻
I'm Sure, Bubbles will become an ambassador, for years to come..! Y'all Gr8!!
Thank you!
This one hurt us all around the web. I'm a firm believer in fate. Bubbles was meant to come to you. Fortunately you've been lucky that most of the rescues we've watched these past few weeks have been healthy.
Now comes a turtle 🐢 who really needs all of our love, prayers, & support. We all need to dig deep even if it's only a few dollars for Bubble's. We need to make this video go viral. I hope & pray we can do so. love your work that you do Chris & Cassie 🐢
👑💟
Omg this brought tears to my eyes. Praying for a full recovery
Poor little thing. How can someone think that is how she is supposed to look?!
Please give us frequent updates on Bubbles.
Im bawling right now 💔
This makes me so sad and angry. As you said, there is no excuse for this. Absolutely heartbreaking. That said, she is a fighter! Sending her all the love and positive healing energy ✨️ ❤❤
I subscribed because I want to learn updates 😢 Be strong Bubbles ❤
Man, that's just a heart breaking watch! Lots of thoughts in my head, like we're all part of this world and we should all take proper care of each other and that includes tortoises and everyone else. This didn't need to happen!! However the little Leopard Champion is now in the right place! Rooting for you Bubbles!!!x
The fact that she is now in your care is relief to me. Because at least now I know she has a couple of loving friends who will watch over and help her. Thank you for all the stressful days you go thru to help the ones who cannot tell us what they are feeling ✨️💔❤️🩹
I wonder when the shell hardens if it'll harden in the shape it is now or if it'll form a proper arc. I wonder if you could create a frame and help it by epoxying the center point of her shell now to a metal frame that attches to her left and right sides, so it'll lift it up and give her a larger body cavity now and as it hardens?
Rest in peace we will miss you😔
Did she pass? I was trying to find an update on her 😢
It's so sad to see such neglect. She's definitely in the right place now, and if she has any hope of a decent life, we know you'll provide it.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Seeing as the shell is so soft and pliable at the moment, would it be possible to create a brace to connect the shell that would help realign and shape the shell to where it needs to be for a healthy tortoise? Assuming this is possible and safe for the tortoise that is.
Bubbles still has life in her eyes! I have faith that she will come thru
Please keep us updated on this poor girl. It's horrible that she's in this condition.
This makes me cry 😭 how can this be possible poor baby!! I hope she recovers and have a decent life with you. PLEASE keep us posted frecuently with updates on bubbles 😢
Hi I just watched this video about Bubbles 🐢. I’m subscribing in the hopes that you will be updating us on her health. Thank you. 😊
Best wishes for Bubbles. 🙏
🙏🏻🐢
Just brought tears to my eyes! I hope you are able to keep her comfortable, she obviously has a strong will to live. Thank you for taking time to educate people about proper tortoise care.
I have been crying my eyes out literally! I had the most wonderful turtle who slept on a tiny bed next to me whom I loved so much! I saw Bubbles, thought of the undeserved hell and awful pain of this beautiful life. Precious turtle. Please help her and give her a chance to live!! Thank You! 🐢🐢🐢❤
Please continue to share her story, no matter where it leads. I am glad I already contribute to your Patreon and this video is absolutely why.
Thank you for taking her under your wing. The lack of empathy and compassion she's endured is flooring. Our animal companions depend on us for their health/happiness and she was failed terribly..
Poor Bubbles, get healthy baby!!
🙌🏻
I am so looking forward to seeing how bubbles does long term that poor baby at least has a lot of will to live
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oh my! please update us on bubbles